Nfl

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- During the first half of the season, tinkering and maneuvering along the New York Giants' offensive line has been common.

In the last three weeks, though, the group has played extremely well together — so well that there doesn't seem to be room for veteran David Diehl to return to a starting role.

The Giants (5-2) have won three straight and four of the five games the starting line has consisted of Will Beatty and Chris Snee at guards, Kevin Boothe and Sean Locklear at tackles and David Baas at center. The moves were made when Diehl, the 10-year vet and a staple on both Giants' Super Bowl championship teams, went down with a sprained right knee.

After practice Thursday, Diehl declared himself 100 percent healthy, but knows his recovery doesn't guarantee playing time considering the rest of the line has played well without him.

"Of course I want to play," Diehl said. "I want to do whatever I can to contribute. And of course, I'd like to be starting, but that might not be the case. I'm not going to sit and sulk about it. I'm going to help out any way I can. I can play guard, tackle, tight end. It doesn't matter to me. It's just terrific to feel good again.

"The team is playing well and that's the most important thing. I want to go out there and start, but if that's not going to happen, I'm going to support my teammates. Whether I start or not doesn't matter. The team always comes first."

Diehl said Thursday brought a major accomplishment: full participation in practice.

"It means that my name can finally come off the injury list," Diehl said. "Reading that every week drove me crazy."

The Giants head to Dallas (3-3) on Sunday with a bit of revenge on their minds. The Cowboys won the season opener, 24-17.

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